The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1887-08-07
CHAPTER xxx

and father, and then to fulfill her benevo-
lent design for the assistance of Nora, re-
quested to be taken to Florence with the in
tention of remaining some time.
So accordingly one of those picturesque
palaces was taken for the season, with its
marble halls and balustrades and vine
wreathed columns.
As soon as the bridal party were rested
from the effects of their travels Betty sent
their cards to Sir Arthur and his wife, and
thought how kind and gracious she was in
recognizing thus-this low-born American
girl-and expected to be received with evil
dences of the deepest gratitude.
But she would give no cause for Arthur
to think she did not regard Noratas an equal
NOT she for had she not comdto f orence
for the benevolent purpose of training this
rustic beauty so that Sir Arthur need not
be ashamed to present her to his friends.
She fully expected to meet coarse,
country beauty with no manner, no style
and with loud coarse voice, making the
young lord start at every sound lest she
should display her ignorance still further.
These were the young Countess thoughts
as she sat In the garden with her husband
and father enjoying the soft, balmy Italian
air and inhaling the fragrance of the flow
ers while eating a delicious refreshing ice
Visitors were announced and the young
Arthur Beaconsfeld and wife"
Papa, Sir Arthur and his LADY," said
Betty, handing her father the cards
"Ah" replied he, reading them, 'ihe seems
somewhat in haste to introduce his Ameri
can rustic"
AYE" echoed the Count, ~ should think
it better to keep her more retired until he
felt sure of her position"
Betty looked at her father and husband
reproachfully and remarked:
"Why, papa! husband! | sent our cards
to both"
ayes, that was all very well; buHin high
born society such people should be kept
back" replied the young Count with i'll
disguised ANNOYANCE at the prospect of be-
ing presented to this low-born American.
The face of Betty showed the distress she
felt at these words.
promise me, !" cried she, placing a hand
beseechingly on an arm of each gentleman,
promise me that no matter how displeaSed
you may feel with Sir Arthurs wife that
you will be polite to her for his sake-for
minen
The gentlemen seeing her evident distress
promised.
Betty kissed them most atfectionately and
led the way to the drawing room to receive
their guests
As the young Countess entered the draw
ing room where her visitors were awaiting
her Sir Arthur advanced eagerly to meet
her. and their greeting was most kindly
and then Lord Dudly welcomed her most
cordially to Florence, and then taking Bet
tvs plump, jewelled hand in his own and
not waiting for Sir Arthur. he led her to
Nora who was seated with graceful ease on
a divan, her sweet face beaming with pleas
ure that her beloved husband was again be
ing united to his friends.
There was ill-concealed surprise and en-
barrassment as Lord Dudly presented the
beautiful, refined Lady Nora to the young
Countess and then to Lord Ernst and the
Count as my dear daughter"-the ''my
daughter" expressing all the pride and af
lection Lord Dudly felt for the lovely image
of his wife
The air of patronage Lady Betty had in
tended using toward the young plebeian
wife-was forgotten, and acting in accord
ance with her impulsive and affectionste
nature, she clasped the beautiful girl to her
and kissed her rapturously, exclaimiug:
Lady Nora, you are SO lovely, L adore
you! never had sister and l have So
fonged for one-be my sistern
The sweet girl returned the loving caresses
delightedly, and all thoughts of low-bilth
was banished from the minds of her enter
tanners.
Lord Ernst understood the fancy of Lord
Dudly for Nora as he noted with sur
prise the striking resemblance to Lady Dlpd-
ly, whom he had loved SO passionately and
incurred SO sincerely.
Sir Arthur was much pleased with the re-
ception given his fair wife, and more so
when he found she had such q loving AID
devoted friend in his old playmate Betty.
'Come and see our boy, +" said Nora, as she
babe adieu to the young Countess.
80, papa dear husbandl Is she not love
lyln cried the excited Betty so delighted
was she with her new friend.
"She certainly is beautiful" replied Lord
Ernst, patting his daughters rosy cheek
THAT angelic creature is never of low
origin; there is some mystery about her
that needs explaining" said the Count.
thoughtfully.
"She is the exact likeness of Lord Dudly'si
late wife, and were it not that / saw the
body of his dead child myself in the coffin
with its mother | should say this child was
Lady Dudly's," said Lord Ernst
so, papa is that why Lord Dudly loves
her soN cried his daughter
'Yes, my child, | think il is-although it
would be easy to love her for her own sweet
self, for imagine she is as good and lovely
in character as she is in person"
''rhere is a mystery mewhere-that girl
never belongs TO low people. She is too an
gelc and too refined for that insisted the
Count.
80, shall love her dearly!' exclaimed
Betty, clasping her dimpled hands with de-
light "She Is so sweetm
Lord Ernst and the Count smiled at her
enthusiasm.
Il wonder where Sir Arthur found herP'
asked Alsleigh.
''Somewherc in the wilderness of the
United States, | believe" replied Lord
Ernst.
Many Englishmen who have not visited
tho United States still think that the coun-
try is still in its wild state with its original
inhabitants yet roaming widely over its
plains.
"Where did Lady Dudly die'" questioned
the Count.
Lord Ernst thought a moment and then
said
"Why, believe somewhere in the United
States, hut / do not know certainly
"Do you remember the looks of Dudly's
dead childr again asked Alsleigh.
Eyes, remember being surprised that it
was SO dark while Dudly and Lady Nora
were 50 fair. y
"Ahl and both bear the name Of 'NoraPn
exclaimed the Count.
"Why, dear, cried Betty; 'yousurely do
tI,..l this - really ord Dudiyie